One function of wetlands are that they play an important role in groundwater recharge. The amount of groundwater recharge received from a wetland depends upon a few variables. Things like the soil, vegetation and size of the wetland. A lot of the recharge occurs in smaller and simpler wetlands. The process of groundwater recharge mostly happens close to the edge of the wetalnd through that soil(Wetlands and Water Quality, Miller). Another functions of wetlands is the nutrient production. Most common nutrients coming into wetlands are nitrogen and phospurus. These nutrients transfer to the sediment and they are then absorbed by plant roots. This function decreases the contamination downstream because the plants act as a filter.
Marshes- Marshes are wetlands that are frequently filled with water. The can be mainly defined by the presence of soft-stemmed vegetation that is prone to saturated soil. Marshes generally provide stream water and are good for filtering and cleaning polluted water. They provide habitat for many waterfowl such as great blue heron. Many small mammals are also found in marshes such as muskrats. Marshes also provide important habitat for amphibians and water reptiles like watersnakes, and Northern leopard frogs. Insects there consist of dragonflies and water bugs which make good food for the birds. Non-Tidal-These marshes are mostly present in North America where areas are poorly drained. Frequently in areas along rivers and streams. They provide habitat for waterfowl and many small mammals such as muskrat. These marshes contain high nutrients which provide good habitat. Tidal-Found along protected U.S. coastlines on the East Coast. These marshes are more saline or salt containing, they buffer stormy seas and the help to slowdown shoreline erosion. Wet Meadows-Found in poorly drained areas,and low farmland. They contain many water grasses and wildflowers. They collect runoff and provide food for animals. Depressional Wetlands- Depressional pools of water.They are found in the North-Mid U.S. and were former glaciated water. Vernal Pools-These are seasonal depressional wetlands in West Coast Southern High Plains- These are only sometimes present, fed by underground aquifers Swamps- A swamp is a wetland area with woody plants. They help with flood prevention, you can get timber from there and animals get food from there. Swamps are large bird habitats. You may also find some common forest animals in the swamps becasue of the fact that swamps are half forest, half wetland. Forested Swamps-Forested areas that are covered by floodwater Shrub Swamps-Swamps with shrubby vegetation Bottom land Hardwoods- River swamps, deciduous forests, floodplains Mangrove Swamps- Coastal wetlands that are found in tropical and subtropical areas. Vegetation there is salt loving and mangrove trees dominate Bogs- Bogs contain peat deposits with acidic waters. Floors of the bogs are generally covered with sphagnum moss. Receive most precipitation and less runoff. Bogs contain low nutients. Beavers and muskrats are common mammals in bogs. Birds also like the open areas in bogs. Northern Bogs-Low temperature areas. Near glacial lakes Pocosins-Evergreen shrubs and trees populate this are. They are found in the Atlantic coast Fens- Fens are peat-forming wetlands that receive nutrients, and are less acidic then bogs and contain higher nutrients. They are also more diverse in life (Wetland Types 2006)
Complex and Diverse Ecosystems of Wetlands
Wetland Functions
One function of wetlands are that they play an important role in groundwater recharge. The amount of groundwater recharge received from a wetland depends upon a few variables. Things like the soil, vegetation and size of the wetland. A lot of the recharge occurs in smaller and simpler wetlands. The process of groundwater recharge mostly happens close to the edge of the wetalnd through that soil(Wetlands and Water Quality, Miller). Another functions of wetlands is the nutrient production. Most common nutrients coming into wetlands are nitrogen and phospurus. These nutrients transfer to the sediment and they are then absorbed by plant roots. This function decreases the contamination downstream because the plants act as a filter.Wetland Types
Marshes- Marshes are wetlands that are frequently filled with water. The can be mainly defined by the presence of soft-stemmed vegetation that is prone to saturated soil. Marshes generally provide stream water and are good for filtering and cleaning polluted water. They provide habitat for many waterfowl such as great blue heron. Many small mammals are also found in marshes such as muskrats. Marshes also provide important habitat for amphibians and water reptiles like watersnakes, and Northern leopard frogs. Insects there consist of dragonflies and water bugs which make good food for the birds. Non-Tidal-These marshes are mostly present in North America where areas are poorly drained. Frequently in areas along rivers and streams. They provide habitat for waterfowl and many small mammals such as muskrat. These marshes contain high nutrients which provide good habitat. Tidal-Found along protected U.S. coastlines on the East Coast. These marshes are more saline or salt containing, they buffer stormy seas and the help to slowdown shoreline erosion. Wet Meadows-Found in poorly drained areas,and low farmland. They contain many water grasses and wildflowers. They collect runoff and provide food for animals. Depressional Wetlands- Depressional pools of water.They are found in the North-Mid U.S. and were former glaciated water. Vernal Pools-These are seasonal depressional wetlands in West Coast Southern High Plains- These are only sometimes present, fed by underground aquifers Swamps- A swamp is a wetland area with woody plants. They help with flood prevention, you can get timber from there and animals get food from there. Swamps are large bird habitats. You may also find some common forest animals in the swamps becasue of the fact that swamps are half forest, half wetland. Forested Swamps-Forested areas that are covered by floodwater Shrub Swamps-Swamps with shrubby vegetation Bottom land Hardwoods- River swamps, deciduous forests, floodplains Mangrove Swamps- Coastal wetlands that are found in tropical and subtropical areas. Vegetation there is salt loving and mangrove trees dominate Bogs- Bogs contain peat deposits with acidic waters. Floors of the bogs are generally covered with sphagnum moss. Receive most precipitation and less runoff. Bogs contain low nutients. Beavers and muskrats are common mammals in bogs. Birds also like the open areas in bogs. Northern Bogs-Low temperature areas. Near glacial lakes Pocosins-Evergreen shrubs and trees populate this are. They are found in the Atlantic coast Fens- Fens are peat-forming wetlands that receive nutrients, and are less acidic then bogs and contain higher nutrients. They are also more diverse in life (Wetland Types 2006)
Wetland land types 4.1 Watersheds pd2